The Citizens and Media Against Corruption (CMAC) Activity, managed by USAID in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), aims to enhance government accountability by promoting citizen engagement against corruption through media and civil society. The project, spanning from FY 2024 to 2029, includes three main objectives: strengthening citizen involvement in anti-corruption initiatives, enhancing investigative reporting, and fostering collaboration between citizens, civil society, and media.
The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) assesses potential environmental impacts of CMAC activities, determining that most actions will have negligible effects, thus qualifying for categorical exclusions. However, activities involving procurement of equipment may pose negative impacts, necessitating specific mitigation measures, including careful waste management procedures.
The IEE also addresses climate change vulnerabilities, rating risks as low. It emphasizes integrating climate resilience into activities and ensuring sustainable waste disposal during project execution. Compliance with environmental regulations and monitoring is crucial, with guidelines for reporting and reviews stipulated for implementing partners.
Overall, the CMAC project represents a significant effort to bolster integrity and transparency in BiH's governance while ensuring adherence to environmental protections and considerations throughout its implementation.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) No. 72016824RFA00001, issued by USAID, seeks applications from local organizations for a cooperative agreement aimed at implementing the Citizens and Media Against Corruption (CMAC) initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The program aims to strengthen civil society and media efforts against corruption, enhance citizen engagement, and improve government accountability.
The activity, authorized under the Foreign Assistance Act, will run from 2024 to 2029 with an expected funding of up to $10 million. Key objectives include increasing citizen activism against corruption, fostering high-quality investigative journalism, and enhancing collaboration among citizens, civil society, and media.
The initiative responds to significant corruption challenges in BiH, highlighted by its poor rankings in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. The program will build on previous USAID efforts, empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) and independent media to combat corruption effectively.
Eligible applicants are restricted to local organizations, and all submissions must comply with detailed eligibility and application guidelines outlined in the NOFO. The deadline for questions is March 6, 2024, with applications due by March 25, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. This opportunity reflects USAID's commitment to fostering accountable governance and combating systemic corruption in BiH.